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Title:
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Different Class |
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Authors:
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Harris, Joanne |
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Genre:
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Fiction |
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Pages:
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413 |
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Year:
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2016 |
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Publisher:
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Transworld Publishers |
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Language:
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English |
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Description:
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With 30 years' experience under his belt, Roy Straitley, Latin Master at St Oswald's Grammar, can spot trouble a mile off. What he is not expecting, however, is the return, 20 years later, of a student he'd deemed to be troublesome; Johnny Harrington, the new headmaster. This 'new broom', this Superhead with his crisis deputies, has arrived to save St Oswald's from itself, a disturbing prospect given his involvement in a scandal that saw a teacher imprisoned.
Narrated by the irascible Roy and an anonymous diarist, the author's return to this North Yorkshire school delivers a gripping psychological thriller, clever with misdirection and black humour, and its acute observations of school life. [Larger font]
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Categories:
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Fiction, Community, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Relationships, Suspense/Thriller, England, 2019 Titles, Larger font |
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By: HOKITIK 004
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2025-04-03 09:54:46 |
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Twist was unexpected. Likeable characters; we were motivated to keep reading. |
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By: TAKA 001
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2024-05-14 14:56:59 |
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There was a mixed response in our group, a number did not finish it as they found it too dark. Others enjoyed the clever way the plot was constructed and enjoyed reading it and how it kept the identity of one of the characters well hidden. |
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By: TAUR 005
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2023-11-02 13:56:39 |
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Well-written - but needed careful reading to follow the detail of the story. The insights into schools was both interesting and insightful. The complexity of the story kept you reading until the end. |
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By: TAUR 036
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2023-05-08 10:02:59 |
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Well what a read!! Very very hard going initially but sped up a bit towards the end - many many twists and the nicknames got a bit confusing, but in the end reached a satisfactory conclusion. 6 out of 9 managed to finish it but it was probably not one we would recommend. |
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By: WARK 006
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2023-04-19 13:54:20 |
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The majority enjoyed the book. A couple thought that it could have been more condensed in the first half. |
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By: MILT 002
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2022-05-27 15:26:56 |
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This book generated great discussion, especially on gender issues and also changes in education, and methods of teaching and administration in schools. Some members loved the book, some didn't, and most of us were irritated by the confusion engendered by the author's use of nicknames. Many read the notes first and have a plea:- Could SPOILER ALERT be added to these as a warning for others! |
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By: WHAKA 010
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2022-04-22 13:42:58 |
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Intriguing! |
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By: AUCK 417
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2022-04-22 13:42:30 |
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We all thought this book was fantastic - it generated a lot of discussion, especially about education then and now, and about bullying and homosexuality in schools. We were all fooled about the identity of the anonymous narrator. The chilling plot kept you engrossed from the first page to the last. Even generated a discussion on the importance of Latin in the school curriculum. |
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By: LOWER 019
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2021-12-12 12:58:54 |
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Mixed reviewed - some enjoyed, some did not. Sinister vs intriguing. Many found they had to continually go back and check on earlier chapters and characters which they found annoying |
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By: AUCK 105
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2021-08-25 13:42:00 |
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Great book for group discussion - it generated a huge amount. Initially we had to agree who all the characters were ( we needed a whiteboard!), and then talk was of course about deeper topics: bullying, homosexuality, changes in education etc. |
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By: DUNED 100
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2021-06-25 12:40:27 |
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2/12 did not like it - it was the setting in a boys' private school that turned them off. But the majority loved the characterisation and the plot. |
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By: ASHB 016
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2020-07-28 07:52:14 |
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Everyone struggled with the complex characters and story line of this book but all those who did finish it, said it was well worth it and it ended up being a great book. Great discussion with many comparing it to other schools or teachers they knew. Great twists and not knowing who was actually telling the story or who to believe - great story! Loved it.. |
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By: TAUP 006
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2020-07-09 14:14:33 |
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When we first started talking about this book, only one of our group said she enjoyed it. We then had a remarkably lively discussion, most of us learned something about the book, either from each other or the notes. We ended the session by saying how very suitable the book is for book groups., it was stimulating and thought provoking. Thanks for including it in BDS. |
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By: HAMIL 010
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2020-02-26 13:11:34 |
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Mixed reaction to this book - most found it confusing for a good part of it, both the changes in years, and the multiple characters and nicknames. Those who read the discussion booklet first found that a help....plus recall of Alan Bennett's 'The History Boys'. Our discussion was lively and with good participation. |
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By: AUCK 209
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2019-05-27 14:47:17 |
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Very good book. Had enough unanswered questions to keep us really interested until the conclusion, where everything came together with panache! |
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By: AUCK 255
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2019-05-25 12:52:43 |
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Confusing intertwined morbid story. Some members of the group found it a labour to read. |
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By: WANAK 020
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2019-04-03 13:40:33 |
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Great discussions, but many struggled reading the book, and only 3/10 completed it. Found the characters confusing. |
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By: DUNED 001
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2019-03-27 13:07:59 |
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Mixed reception to this book - most enjoyed it. Good discussion re schooling and teachers. |
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By: TAUR 022
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2019-03-27 13:05:34 |
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Good Book Club choice. |
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By: AUCK 006
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2019-03-27 13:04:56 |
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As a group we declared this book "Morbidly interesting'!! Not quite a 'couldn't put it down' book as it was a rather confusing read, but rather a book that needed to be read to find out whether or not your initial thoughts were accurate or not - mine weren't. For a book that wasn't a particularly easy read, those of us who finished it managed a really enthusiastic discussion. We wouldn't especially recommend the book to other groups, as it dealt with some pretty unpleasant characters, but if this is going to be the calibre of our books this year, all we can say is "Bring them on'!! |
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By: AUCK 058
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2019-03-27 12:58:20 |
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The group was divided on this book - about half thought it was dense and difficult, and the other half found the characterisation and plot twists enthralling. Much to discuss in this book from the Latin phrases to school life in the 1980's. |
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By: ASHB 027
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2019-03-08 14:28:46 |
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This was not a book to love but it was typical Joanne Harris with its twists and turns, dark characterisations and very visual language. The gripping finale made it a compulsive read. Could maybe have been edited as it dragged in places but the complex characters and story line with the twist at the end kept you invested in it. |
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